Maui is a popular hiking destination for tourists or travelers that suit families, newbie hikers and experienced trekkers. A best place for mountain biking, climbing, hiking and many outdoor activities. You are going to see the extremely distinct and abundant island, towering waterfalls, bombastic volcanoes and bamboo forests. Surely you will have fun and enjoy the magnificent scenery of Maui.
Here are the best hiking places in Maui:
1. Pipiwai Trail
Pipiwai Trail – is quite a difficult trail that is located in Oheo Gulch a part Haleakala National Park in the east of Maui with four miles roundtrip that will take you through the incredible sights as well as the mysterious bamboo forests and the magnificent horseshoe-shaped valley with 400ft Waimoiku Falls pouring down the walls. Walking through the bamboo forests is so mystical that standing quietly and listening to the wind directing through the enormous bamboo trunks as they sway. If you are planning to hike, check the weather first because hiking on this trail with a storm or bad weather could be very dangerous as it is prone to flash floods that sweep people away.
2. Twin Falls
Twin Falls – is one of the most well-known roads to Hana and one of the first chances to stop at a stream of waterfalls and pools along the iconic road. A less than a mile one-way that is located along the famous Road to Hana in which you are going to see the tropical beauty. It is a great place to hike for those who don’t have time to drive to Hana but want to see the two waterfall trails in which you can swim in the pools created by the waterfall or go under the waterfall. Make sure that if you go hiking, wear your hiking sandals so that if the trails get very muddy and mushy you will not get stuck in the mud. In the parking area, you can pick some tropical fruits like mouthwatering banana bread and coconuts.
3. Sliding Sands Trail
Sliding Sands Trail – is located inside the Haleakala National Park and it is very enormous and the high attitude trail that descends 2,800 ft. This trail is certainly not easy to hike because the sand inside the volcanic crater is amazing with different colorful layers and textures, the views from the summit are breathtaking during the days, and on cloudy days you can hike inside a cloud at the elevation. It gives a sense of peace that is usually reserved for deep in the wilderness as you walk to the first viewpoint only the munch of lava of lava rock. As you go along the trail, you will see Haleakala Silverswords ( ahinahina), a very rare plants that can live up to 90 years but it blooms only once with amazing flowering stalks.
4. Pali Trail
Pali Trail – is an enormous 5-mile hike in the mountains overhead Maalaea. Entering this hike, you need to decide whether to hike for one way in which you will leave your vehicle for yourself at the other end or hike in and hike back out of the same way for 10 miles if you walk the entire trail. You will hike on two-lane highways that connect West Maui and Central Maui but it is rewarding because you will see the amazing view and the green and lush surroundings. From December to March, it is the whale season in which you are going to sit for hours just to watch them.
5. Waihee Ridge Trail
Waihee Ridge Trail – is located in West Maui Forest Reserve which is a 5-mile round trip trails that escalate 1,500 ft through a teeming forest of kukui, guava, ohia, and ferns. You will see the luxuriant scenery, great views, and exciting ridge-line hiking. Locals and tourists are enjoying this hike and it is never been crowded. You will see unbelievable views which is the entire island from Kahului Harbor to the island of Molokai, Waihee Gorge, and cascading waterfalls. Birdwatchers can also see very rare species like apapane, Hawaii amakihi and iiwi. It is one of the most scenic treks on Maui. Picnic tables are available at the end of the trail so you can sit, eat, relax, and capture the captivating scenery of the trail.
6. Kapalua Coastal Trail
Kapalua Coastal Trail – it gives awesome and close-up views of the Pacific Ocean on an easy flat path with a mix of paved, boardwalk, and volcanic rock. The hike isn’t enormous but the 3-mile out-and-back trail does entwine through the diverse terrain which includes lava fields and grassland that gives the least coverage shade so you have to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. It has a free parking area, interesting signs, and postings watching out for the native plants and sea birds. You will also see Fleming Beach and Kapalua Beach that gives a great place to cool off.
7. Waikamoi Ridge Trail
Waikamoi Ridge Trail – is one of the best and perfect hiking trails in Maui especially the nature lovers and those with kids. It is a magnificent, short nature walk through trees, bamboo, and ferns with breathtaking overlooks at several points along the way. The loop through the forests will take around a half-hour to complete and can set up shop on a picnic table for your food. It is located along the Road to Hana. There are two sections to the trail, the short loop that takes about half an hour and ends where it starts and the other a one-way extension from the loop trail.
8. Kuloa Point Trail
Kuloa Point Trail – this trail passes an orchard of hala trees on the way to wonderful views of the ocean and some huge pools. It is a half-mile loop trail that leads from the Kipahulu Visitor Center down to the ocean at Kuloa Point past historic pre-contact Hawaiian habitation sites. You can swim but never jump into the water from the rock face above because the ocean currents are very strong, sharks and high surf are continual dangers. Remember not to go into the ocean and stay only in the pools if you want to swim.
8. Pa Ka'oao Trail
Pa Ka’oao Trail – is one of the best hikes in Maui for beginner hikers or families in you are going to Haleakala Visitor Center for the parking area and climb on a small hill that is scattered with volcanic rocks. You will see the stunning views to the southeast at the endpoint of the hike, down into Haleakala’s colorful hollow, the volcano’s slope to the northwest, and the sparkling aquamarine ocean. You will also see the very rare plants which are the silverswords, can watch the sunset at Haleakala and open views of the sun falling beneath the clouds.
10. Iao Valley State Park
Iao Valley State Park – is one of the most iconic natural formations, peaceful and serene park on Maui and it is located above the teeming town of Wailuku. In the luxuriant, stream cut valley and walking paths are lined with native flora as well as informational signs about the cultural significance of the area. The Iao Needle is a natural rock formation that stands at 1,200 ft. tall and 2250 ft above sea level. Many travelers or visitors leave the park in complete amazement of the perfect calmness of the area. It has an important part to Hawaiian culture because the location is one of the famous battles in Hawaii’s history which is the Battle of Kepaniwai in 1790.